Sprig Toys is a great company our of Colorado that is dedicated to infusing creativity, smart design, quality manufacturing, earth-friendly materials, product satisfaction and responsible business practices into a superior line of fun, kid-powered toys.

We found them last year just before Christmas and have been in love ever since!

New for this Fall, Sprig is expanding their Adventure Series to include some great new products that can be used in the pool or bathtub.

We had the chance to play with the new line in Vegas. Below, I have included our pictures and Sprig’s official press photos.

Jump in the boat and join Willie Ocean on a Caribbean scuba adventure. This cool set includes: 1 Sport Boat, 1 Adventure Guide – Willie Ocean, 1 Scuba Mask – interchangeable, 1 Airtank and 1 Scuba Flipper

Dolphin Boat Explorer – Join Captain Owen on the open seas! This 8-piece set includes: 2 boats – Explorer Boat and Rescue Boat, 1 Life Preserver, 2 Dolphins – Mother and Baby, 1 Adventure Guide – Captain Owen, 1 Adventure Hat – Interchangeable, and 1 Backpack Accessory.

Dino Adventure Rig – Join Rex Jungle on a fantastic dinosaur fueled adventure. This eco-friendly playset includes: 1 Adventure Truck, 2 Dinosaurs – Mother and Baby, 1 Adventure Guide – Rex Jungle, 1 Adventure Hat – Interchangeable and 1 Backpack Accessory.

Hybrid diaper company gDiaper has introduced washable cloth inserts called gCloths for their gPants.

Original gDiapers, consist of a washable, cotton outer little gPant and a plastic-free biodegradable diaper gRefill. They are made of breathable material just like sports clothing. So, babies stay dry and happy and are far less likely to get diaper rash.

The new washable re-fills are made of two layers of soft 100% polyester microfleece wick moisture away from baby’s bottom keeping it feeling dry and comfortable. Two layers of hemp/cotton absorb wetness and hold moisture in.

Hemp in particular becomes more absorbent with use so the more you wash gCloth inserts, the softer and more absorbent they become.

For optimum softness, absorbency and sizing, gDiapers recommends that you wash the gCloth inserts at least six (6) times before using in hot water and tumble dry on medium heat. They say to expect some shrinkage in length.

Like all cloth diaper products, the gCloth inserts will become softer and more absorbent the more you wash them.

Puzzle floors offer a very cool flooring choice for parents who want their nursery, playroom or even living room to look unique.

Offered in 13 wood shades, the puzzle wood floor will give any room the wow factor most are looking for when putting together a space for their family.

Because this floor system is made of two individual patterns, you can sub in pieces made from a different wood stain for a more vibrant look.

The only downfall? beauty has it’s price… these floors are priced higher than a traditional wood floor or even bamboo.

*Environmental factor – Briggs Engineered Wood Products Inc. the manufacturer of Puzzle Floor™, sources all of its hardwood from certified managed forests. Responsible resource management protects the environment and aids in wildlife preservation, forest regeneration, and limiting soil erosion.*

When I first saw ‘Skwish‘ by Manhattan Toy I wasn’t sure what to think until I started to play with it.

Designed to appeal to your baby’s visual and tactile curiosity, ‘Skwish’ is a multi-functional toy that appeals to kids off all ages and even adults.

It’s unusual shape caught my 3 year-old’s attention immediately. He spent almost a half an hour turning it around and pushing it in and out before allowing my 4 month-old a chance to explore.

At first he wasn’t sure what to think, but he quickly came around when he heard the clinking sound Skwish makes when the beads slide up and down on the rods.

It’s ability to stretch and pop back up into shape offers visual stimulation and helps develop motor skills in children.

New for 2009 Manhattan Toy has introduced a natural version of this normally colorful toy. The un-dyed version is perfect for parents looking for eco-friendly choices. Like all of Manhattan’s ‘Skwish’ toys, it is made of replenishable rubberwood with non-toxic, water based finishes.

Available at Manhattantoy.com $15

Babysoy is the 1st company in the world to create baby’s newborn wardrobe using soybean protein fiber. Their modern baby layettes made from eco-friendly soybean fiber. Babysoy is conscientious and green by using renewable natural resources as the raw material for our baby wear – which is the leftover pulp from tofu, soymilk and other soy products.

I also love that all of their products are under $30. Environmentally friendly and cost effective!

Soopsori makes extraordinary wooden toys for kids that are 100% recyclable. The Korean company only uses natural wood without using bolts or paintings. Their packaging can be reused 100% since it does not contain unnecessary decoration or harmful surface coating.

Each wooden toy has its own unique color and texture depending on its species of wood chosen for that product. Soopsori carefully selected 20 types of natural wood to manufacture the natural featured toys.

Unlike color-painted toys, Soopori toys are not only safer but they also have the natural scent of tree because the natural wood is still alive and breaths although it is manufactured.

Green parents who are looking for environmentally friendly nursery items may like petitcollage’s beautifully designed mobiles.

These unique mobiles are laser-cut from sustainably harvested bamboo plywood, an earth-friendly renewable resource. Due to the nature of the material, pieces will vary slightly in color and grain.

All three mobiles available at petitcollage for $68

You can give your baby a big hug with this comfortable Huggy Bear Baby Rocker Seat from Wonderworld.

This soft and plush cushioned bear seat is detachable from the sturdy wooden, rocking frame. With a rattle in the bear’s arm and a crinkle in the bear’s ear the Wonderworld Huggy Bear Baby Rocker Seat is more than just a typical baby rocker. It provides entertainment and a comfortable place for your little one to rest.

Features:

• Designed for newborns and infants
• Crinkling ear
• Rattle in the arm
• Rocking wooden frame
• Cushion is detachable from wooden frame

*Wonderworld, an advocate of protecting the environment, insists on using only rubber-woood that is from a replenishable source*

$120 @allmodern.com

I love lemons! I love the smell and their bright color.

I put them in my ice water, on my food and I use them everywhere in my house I can to keep things clean and smelling nice naturally.

Lemon’s gift is that it is an acid. It smells fresh and lemon juice is a very good antiseptic and killer of mold, germs, and bacteria.

For many years, lemons have been used for everything from cleaning dishes to helping cure scurvy. They are an amazing fruit.

Here are 10 household uses for lemons:

1. Add half a lemon in the dishwasher for sparkling spot-free clean smelling dishes.
2. For a great cleaner, make a paste with lemon juice and salt to clean brass, copper, and stainless steel kitchen sinks.
3. To remove ink spots or rust on clothing, apply lots of lemon juice to the stain as soon as possible.
4. Polish chrome faucets with a paste of baking soda and lemon juice.
5. After you have removed expired food, place a sponge or cotton ball dabbed with lemon juice in your fridge for several hours to remove foul odors.
6. In your laundry, lemon juice removes mildew, brightens and bleaches whites.
   • For a mild, stain-free bleach, soak your delicates in a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda for at least half an hour before washing.
   • To get rid of mildew on clothes, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and rub it on the affected area, then dry the clothes in sunlight. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
   • Diluted or straight, lemon juice is a safe and effective fabric whitener when added to your wash water. Your clothes will also come out smelling lemon-fresh.
7. To stop bleeding and disinfect minor cuts and scrapes – pour a few drops of lemon juice directly on the cut or apply the juice with a cotton ball and hold firmly in place for one minute.
8. Soothe insect bites by applying a few drops of lemon juice directly on the bite.
9. Retouch your hair with a final rinse made out of water and lemon juice (half a lemon mixed to 500 ml of water) to fight dandruff and sweep the soap film and excess oils.
10. To get rid of ants squirt some lemon juice on door thresholds and windowsills. Then squeeze lemon juice into any holes or cracks where the ants are getting in. Finally, scatter small slices of lemon peel around the outdoor entrance.

Lemons are best kept at room temperature, which yields more juice as compared to refrigerated lemon. Place a lemon in hot water or microwave it (30 seconds) to extract more juice.

SOURCE SOURCE

My favorite puzzle company, ImagiPLAY has introduced some new puzzles that will be sure to challenge your little one.

The unconventional way they mix shapes with numbers and letters makes their puzzles different from anything else on the market.

Their new styles will keep your child’s imagination active while also keeping the earth in mind.

The Watercolor Counting and Alphabet Puzzles are made from all natural,
managed forest basswood.

These all natural 3D puzzles offer learning, beauty and creativity! They not only help children learn their ABC’s and numbers, but they also nice enough to be hung on a wall afterwards. Watercolor paint kits are included.

For children aged 5+ $22.99

For 2009 ImagiPLAY expands their popular Colorific Earth puzzles.

The Butterfly Alphabet, Apple Tree Feast and Dinosaur Alphabet are all Hand-crafted & hand painted with child-safe paints. Parents will also appreciate that they are made from plantation-grown rubberwood, an environmentally- friendly hardwood.

For children aged 3+ $36.99

*ImagiPLAY works exclusively with small, family-run wood shops where craftspeople are paid a fair living wage and treated with respect and dignity. ImagiPLAY toys are naturally safe for children and their planet. All wood used is from managed forests or farmed on plantations. ImagiPLAY plants more than 5,000 trees a year and supports organizations that protect our environment, health, wildlife and natural resources.*